The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) of Nigeria has announced a comprehensive review of its service fees, marking the most significant adjustment in over a decade. These new rates will affect a wide range of services, including post-incorporation filings, compliance services, and select registration processes.
Initially set to become effective on August 1, 2025, the implementation date has been postponed to September 1, 2025. This one-month delay is a direct result of transitional challenges and user feedback concerning the newly upgraded, AI-powered registration portal.
CAC Service Fee Review 2025: A Full Breakdown of New Rates and What They Mean for Your Business
This article serves as a guide to the new fee regime. It provides a detailed breakdown of the revised fee structure, explores the strategic reasons behind these changes, and outlines the practical implications for businesses, accredited agents, and all registered entities operating in Nigeria.
About the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is Nigeria's official corporate registry, responsible for the regulation and supervision of all business entities in the country.
Established under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), its core functions include the administration of the Act, which covers everything from the formation and incorporation of companies to their eventual dissolution.
The CAC is also in charge of registering companies, business names, and incorporated trustees, and it maintains a central registry that provides public access to corporate records. Furthermore, it issues certificates of incorporation, handles post-incorporation services like changes in share capital or company officers, and conducts investigations to ensure compliance.
The commission has the power to impose penalties and delist businesses that fail to meet their obligations. It also offers ancillary services such as providing certified true copies of documents and accrediting professionals who interact with the registry.
Why the CAC Reviewed Its Fees
According to the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 92, the CAC's fee adjustment was driven by several key factors. Firstly, the commission faced rising operational and infrastructural costs associated with maintaining a modern and efficient corporate registry.
Secondly, the review was necessary to fund significant technology upgrades, including the transition to a new, fully AI-enabled registration portal. The CAC also engaged in stakeholder consultations with professional bodies and business owners to ensure the new fees were fair and sustainable.
Ultimately, the increase aims to create a cost-reflective service model that enables the commission to be self-sustaining while maintaining the integrity and reliability of its services. The CAC described the fee hike as a "modest adjustment" designed to support its digital service delivery goals.
Who the New CAC Fees Affect
The revised 2025 CAC fee schedule applies to all registered business entities in Nigeria, including private and public companies (Ltd, PLC, GTE), small companies as defined under CAMA 2020, limited liability partnerships (LLP), limited partnerships (LP), business names, and incorporated trustees such as NGOs, religious bodies, and associations.
While the cost of incorporating a new entity remains mostly unchanged, significant adjustments have been made to post-incorporation and compliance-related services. Notable increases include voluntary striking-off for small companies (₦25,000 to ₦50,000), relisting of companies (₦25,000 to ₦50,000 for small/private, ₦100,000 for public), business name annual returns (₦3,000 to ₦5,000), historical search reports (₦20,000 to ₦30,000), LLP and LP registrations, and changes of name.
The largest impacts will be felt by businesses and professionals who frequently engage in due diligence searches, corporate record updates, AGM extensions, and other post-incorporation filings, as well as by foreign companies now facing doubled fees for exemptions and annual reports.
Key CAC Fee Changes (Effective September 1, 2025)
The table below is not exhaustive but highlights the most notable fee changes across company types, business names, and other registered entities.
| Service | Old Fee | New Fee (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Name Reservation (standard) | ₦500 | ₦1,000 |
| Name Reservation (restricted words) | ₦5,000 | ₦5,000 (unchanged) |
| Incorporation of Company Limited by Guarantee | ₦20,000 | ₦40,000 |
| Incorporation with share capital – small/private (per ₦1m) | ₦10,000 | ₦10,000 (unchanged) |
| Incorporation with share capital – public (per ₦1m) | ₦20,000 | ₦20,000 (unchanged) |
| Registration of increase in share capital (per ₦1m up to ₦500m) | ₦5,000–₦10,000 | ₦10,000–₦20,000 |
| Change of Name – small/private | ₦10,000–₦20,000 | ₦20,000 (small/private), ₦50,000 (public) |
| Annual Returns (small company) | ₦5,000 | ₦5,000 (unchanged) |
| Annual Returns (business name) | ₦3,000 | ₦5,000 |
| Historical Search Report (all info) | ₦20,000 | ₦30,000 |
| Voluntary Striking-off – small company | ₦25,000 | ₦50,000 |
| Voluntary Striking-off – public company | ₦100,000 | ₦100,000 (unchanged) |
| Relisting – small company | ₦25,000 | ₦50,000 |
| Relisting – public company | ₦100,000 | ₦100,000 (unchanged) |
| Due Diligence Search (self-service) | ₦50,000 | ₦50,000 (unchanged) |
| Same day post-incorporation filing – small | ₦20,000 | ₦30,000 |
| Same day post-incorporation filing – public | ₦50,000 | ₦50,000 (unchanged) |
| Restriction of Director’s Address | ₦25,000 | ₦25,000 (unchanged) |
| Application for Cessation (business name) | ₦10,000 | ₦10,000 (unchanged) |
| Notice of Exemption – foreign company | ₦50,000 | ₦100,000 |
| Annual report – foreign company | ₦50,000 | ₦100,000 |
| Registration of LLP – name reservation | ₦500 | ₦1,000 |
| LLP Change of Name | ₦10,000 | ₦20,000 |
| LP Registration and CTC of documents | ₦15,000 | ₦30,000 |
| Business Name Registration and CTC of documents | ₦10,000 | ₦20,000 |
| Incorporated Trustees Registration | ₦35,000 | ₦40,000 |
| Notice of Dissolution (Incorporated Trustees) | ₦20,000 | ₦30,000 |
| Penalty – small company (daily) | ₦250 | ₦100 |
| Penalty – small company (one-off) | ₦5,000 | ₦1,000 |
| Penalty – public company (daily) | ₦1,000 | ₦500 |
| Penalty – public company (one-off) | ₦25,000 | ₦5,000 |
What This Means for Business Owners and Professionals
The revised CAC fee schedule will increase compliance costs for businesses that frequently require post-incorporation services or due diligence searches, making proactive filings more important to avoid steep late penalties.
It will also affect transactions, as lawyers, investors, and advisors will need to account for higher costs when conducting searches and obtaining historical reports. The implementation date has been postponed from August 1 to September 1, 2025, due to technical issues on CAC’s new AI-powered portal, including payment failures, document download problems, and filing challenges.
This one-month delay allows businesses to complete pending filings at current rates, retrieve approved documents without penalties, and adjust budgets for future compliance expenses.
New CAC Schedule of Fees
Ready to Take the Next Step?
The CAC’s 2025 fee review represents a strategic shift towards self-sustaining, tech-driven corporate regulation. While the increases may impact operating costs, the Commission argues they will enable faster, more efficient, and more transparent services.
Business owners, legal practitioners, and compliance officers should act before September 1 to lock in current rates and avoid unnecessary expenses.
